MP calls on Government to help Cambridge student nurses

Local MP Daniel Zeichner has expressed the anger and fears of Anglia Ruskin student nurses in the Commons today.

The Government plan to scrap bursaries for student nurses so they pay the entire bill for their training, even though they spend half of their training time working for the NHS on hospital wards.

Daniel Zeichner MP pointed out that student nurses were often adults re-training who were likely to be put off by a “mountain of debt” and that given the amount of time they spend on wards that their terms are much longer than traditional student terms.

He quoted Sarah, a student nurse from Cambridge who said: “I am really disappointed by this change, and nursing is not like any other profession so should be treated uniquely.”

Daniel Zeichner MP said: "Student nurses are not like most students. They are not just found in lecture theatres but in operating theatres too. Axing student bursaries will make it harder to address the nursing shortage in the NHS and I fear patient care will suffer.

The government should be doing everything it can to recruit more student nurses not throwing down obstacles in their path.

NHS nurses and midwives are some of the most highly valued people in our country who are there at the most difficult times. They make our National Health Service great. The Government needs to think again.”